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22. 10. 2025 / 12:40

In the second round of the Aurora European University Alliance call for proposals supporting international research collaboration, four projects involving Palacký University Olomouc (UP) have been selected for funding. In addition, UP is a partner in the organisation of one specialised summer school and will send one of its students on a short-term research internship.

The Call for Incentive Research Collaboration was launched at the end of last year as part of the Aurora 2030 programme, supported by the European Universities Initiative under the umbrella of the European Commission. In evaluating the proposals, the Aurora Research Council considered not only scientific quality and originality but also feasibility and contribution to the development of the international research community. Projects also had to demonstrate how they could contribute to the work of the Aurora Research-driven Educational Hubs, thematic research and educational centres connecting teaching and research.

“Researchers from Palacký University submitted sixteen proposals – fourteen focused on research collaboration, one on a summer school, and one on a short-term research internship. Although UP is not coordinating any project this year, it succeeded as a partner in four research projects and one summer school, and will also send a student on a short-term stay,” said Marie Jadrníčková, Aurora Research Officer at UP.

Joint Research Projects

HONE (How Narratives Emerge) explores how public narratives and debates – for example, about migration – arise and spread, and how language shapes social perception. By analysing political speeches, newspaper articles, and archival media, the team will examine how even small linguistic choices, such as word selection or metaphors, can gradually influence public opinion.
UP’s contribution is coordinated by Ľudmila Lacková Bennet from the Department of General Linguistics, Faculty of Arts.

What is the composition and impact of edible flowers on digestion and health? Is their consumption safe, and what are its effects? The BLOOM-DIGEST project aims to improve food safety, promote sustainable diets, and train new researchers. UP’s involvement is represented by Sanja Ćavar Zeljković from CATRIN.

EUROPARKS brings together researchers and representatives of amusement parks to explore more sustainable approaches in this industry. Addressing the lack of research in the leisure sector, it fosters cooperation between academia and business and investigates new ways of sharing results. The UP team is led by Vít Voženílek from the Department of Geoinformatics, Faculty of Science.

Developing tools for the early detection of ecosystem damage is the goal of three teams involved in the SIHTED project. Focusing on the biodiversity-rich yet agriculture-threatened tropical forests of Laos, the scientists aim to identify key indicators that help monitor ecosystem health before major degradation occurs. UP’s contribution is coordinated by Bořivoj Šarapatka from the Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science.

Thematic Summer Schools

The AQUARiQ summer school focuses on quantum photonics. Its goal is to foster knowledge exchange and inspire further development of quantum technologies. The school is part of the global activities marking the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. UP’s participation is coordinated by Jaromír Fiuriášek from the Department of Optics, Faculty of Science.

Short-term Research Internships

Alice Navrátilová, a PhD student in Migration Studies at the Department of Sociology, Andragogy, and Cultural Anthropology, Faculty of Arts, succeeded in securing a short-term research internship through the YOUTHNET project. The research focuses on the social networks of young people with a migration background in Catalonia, Spain.

“We are delighted by the continued interest of our researchers in international collaboration within the Aurora alliance and believe that their efforts will gradually lead to success in European grant calls as well,” concluded Marie Jadrníčková.

Further information about the results is available on the Aurora central website. New calls and other opportunities for UP students and staff are regularly published on the Aurora at UP website.